Sustainable Futures Exhibition
Nov 2023 - Present
The ‘RISD x Hyundai Motor Group: Sustainable Futures’ exhibition, I connected the different design teams to bring the exhibit to life. My responsibilities included assisting with the installation of physical components, tech setups and coordinating with vendors to oversee print production. Working closely with the curatorial and graphic design team, we were able to showcase the creative potential of sustainable design through a collaboration between academia and industry
Team
Vrinda Mathur (Curatorial Lead), Arvind Bhallamudi (Assistant Curator), Dani Epstein (Production Lead), Shravan Rao (Production Assistant), Harshal Duddalwar (Graphic Designer) Farida Abousteit (Graphic Designer) Yuheng He, Helina (Physical Designer) Leslie Ponce-Díaz (Physical Designer).
Role
Managed participant and team logistics, lead copywriting and communications, and supported the team with spatial design, graphics and overall production and launch.
Services
Exhibition Design
Spatial Design
Production
Curation
Communications
Execution and Launch
RISD x Hyundai Partnership
The Sustainable Futures exhibition was the culmination of a year-long collaboration between Hyundai Motor Group and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), facilitated through sponsored studios and fellowships across 13 academic departments: Architecture, Ceramics, Digital + Media, Film/Animation/Video, Global Arts and Culture, Glass, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Nature–Culture –Sustainability Studies.
The initiative encouraged students and faculty to draw inspiration from nature to design sustainable systems, materials, and futures. The lab became a cross-disciplinary testing ground for exploring biofabrication, speculative mobility, and ecological aesthetics. As part of this collaboration, I worked to help translate student research into a coherent public showcase, bridging industrial partnership with academic creativity.
Img.1-8 Participant projects ranging from biomimicry to biophilia for nature-based designs.
Exhibit Curation
My role involved actively supporting the curatorial and graphic design teams to ensure the exhibition reflected the richness and diversity of the student work. With projects ranging from biomaterial experiments in Ceramics to speculative transportation concepts from Industrial Design, curating the show required careful storytelling and sequencing. I facilitated communication between departments and helped map out an exhibition that communicated not just individual projects, but a broader narrative about the role of design in reshaping our ecological future. The resulting exhibition was not just a display—it was an experience of interwoven practices, processes, and visions.
Img.9-14 Mockups of placing selected exhibits on pedestals.
Spatial Design
The spatial layout of the show was designed to evoke an ecosystem of ideas, with an open and adaptable format allowing each department’s work to breathe while also engaging in dialogue with neighboring pieces. I assisted with the physical installation of structures, AV components, and lighting, contributing to a modular and accessible design. We designed zones around thematic clusters—materials, mobility, systems, and storytelling—and prioritized visibility and flow across disciplines. The physical experience emphasized both craft and concept, honoring RISD's unique balance of the two.
Fig.1 Top view of spatial design with pedestals, central frame, and walls.
![Final Elevation Prov Wash [Converted] final 2-01.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d5ed9e_bf1583c1c1c44064a3fe4e649f39ccc4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_634,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Final%20Elevation%20Prov%20Wash%20%5BConverted%5D%20final%202-01.jpg)
Fig.2 Main wall of exhibition laid out for measurements and placement.
Communication Design
A critical part of the exhibition’s success lay in its ability to communicate sustainable futures to a wider public. Working with the curatorial and graphic design teams, I helped ensure that signage, infographics, and printed matter were clear, cohesive, and resonant. We developed minimal but bold visual language to guide visitors through the space, while maintaining a tone that respected both academic inquiry and public accessibility. I also supported the integration of digital storytelling elements that enhanced context for the projects on display, using screen-based media to offer depth without distraction.
Img.15-16 Information about the exhibition.
Partnering with Nature Lab
The exhibition was a true community effort. I helped coordinate logistics with RISD’s Nature Lab, which supported the creation of a central structural installation inspired by biomimicry and ecological form. In parallel, I worked closely with the RISD Store team to source sustainable materials and oversee fabrication and production, including print runs and custom exhibition components. Managing these relationships required balancing timelines, aesthetics, and sustainability goals, ensuring that every material decision aligned with the exhibition’s ethos. The result was a grounded, place-based design that reflected the values we hoped to inspire in our audience.
Img.17 Central frame created in partnership with RISD Nature Lab.
Img.18-23 Exhibition execution and launch at 20 Washington Place.
Multimedia and Communications Plan
Balancing creative writing with technical information was done in parallel with the assisting the design team with layouts, visual graphics, imagery and interactions. The communications strategy and website were refined, tested and launched in June 2024.